Olivia Quigley - USA Relay Team

After a very long day covering several different events with the last 2 hours photographing numerous athletes of the Athletic events, I was about to "call it a day" when I was advised to wait for one more competing athlete by an event staff member. The staff member shared with me the story of Olivia Quigley, who had stage four breast cancer and who had taken a break from her chemotherapy and postponed a much needed surgery as to compete in the games...how could I not wait. When Olivia stepped up to her starting position as to lead off for the USA four-person relay team race, I was overcome with a sense that I was blessed and was honored to not only be able to witness this women's courage and dedication firsthand, but to be able to memorialize it with my camera. As I lifted my camera to capture what I eagerly anticipated, I felt such a deep sense of obligation and desire to capture images of Olivia I hoped would be worthy of and would honor her and what she stood for in the way she deserved!After a very long day covering several different events with the last 2 hours photographing numerous athletes of the Athletic events, I was about to "call it a day" when I was advised to wait for one more competing athlete by an event staff member. The staff member shared with me the story of Olivia Quigley, who had stage four breast cancer and who had taken a break from her chemotherapy and postponed a much needed surgery as to compete in the games...how could I not wait. When Olivia stepped up to her starting position as to lead off for the USA four-person relay team race, I was overcome with a sense that I was blessed and was honored to not only be able to witness this women's courage and dedication firsthand, but to be able to memorialize it with my camera. As I lifted my camera to capture what I eagerly anticipated, I felt such a deep sense of obligation and desire to capture images of Olivia I hoped would be worthy of and would honor her and what she stood for in the way she deserved!